Old Reloading Tools

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Skeet 028

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AJ amd I were kinda comparing stuff on the new acquisitions thread...and he did notice we were kinda hijacking the thread.....So
I'm just wondering ...are there any other collectors/users of old/vintage reloading tools on the boards here? Especially pre 1965? If you do...let us know what you have/ise. I just called Lyman about some small partsfor their old Lyman 45 sizer luber...No luck there. . I recently bought 6 of the old sizer/lubers all in parts...and need a few small parts to finish up putting the lsdt 2 back in service...yeah...the old stuff still works if''n you can get all the parts
 
I'm still using a Texan turret press from the '60s for all my handgun cartridge loading. I bought it used about 1980. I've sold many pieces of old loading equipment, presses, etc. at large gun shows over the last forty+ years just to get it out of the way. Some of it I'd had since 1965 when I began handloading.

I don't collect this stuff. I've found none of it brings much on the used market, except possibly for Ebay and gun forum sites. The last press I bought (other than four progressives which are long gone) was an RCBS Big Max at a gun store auction about thirty-five years ago. It was all of $10.00.

I doubt newer presses offer anything over the old stuff other than newness, though newness alone is a big deal to some.
 
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You said "OLD". Maybe I can help.

I have a single stage CH press that I would guess is from the 1960's. So, not really old. It was set up for .38 spl. ONLY. I took the ram out and found that a Lee ram fit perfectly, so now with different shell holders it can load anything.

My Great Uncle was a blacksmith. He kept a 12 ga. under his workbench just in case robbers came along. The gun was passed down and it's in MY safe now.

Apparently, though, he also rolled his own. Checking the sizes of the tools it looks to also be for a 12 ga. Based on family history I would date the tools to about 1900.
 

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Like guns the reloadin people have to make new tuff just to keep making a profit. The new stuff for the most part doesn't work a whole lot better...some maybe faster. Look at scales...the new ones work faster...digital...but I have an old Pacific scale from thje 50s...still works fine after 75 years. Get a digital to do that. ...The All American Turret Press is still a great press. I sold all of mine...the best scale ever made for the money was the RCBS 510...made by Ohaus. The new iteration of the RC is no better than the okd ersion...just prettier. That old RCBS swaging press from 1947 still makes good bullets 78 years later...the old CH Mark IV still turns out good ammo at 65 YO. . As far as the value of the older stuff...you can still at least break even after all that time...maybe even make money... I have always made a bit of money after using the tools. BTW I also like the Lyman 55 powder measure. One of the best ever made. Find 'em at gun shows for 10-40 dollars
 
Mike said:
I have and still use 2 old Lyman 55 powder measures.
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Me too. I have 2 that I use and another one NIB...They made them in gray and orange...I have to get this computer loading pics so I can post pics of some of this stuff. And sell some on ebay
 
My Lyman 310 tools would probably fit your criteria because I like the steel handled version. My primary turret press is an All American (also Lyman) that came out in the mid ‘60s, IIRC. To me, old generally equates to good.
Froggie
 
Most of my older stuff has found new homes. These 310 Tools are what I started reloading on eons ago. There are two Lyman Tools and one Ideal in the first picture. The longer dies are 30-06 and the shorter ones .45 ACP. The second picture shows a Lyman Tru-Line Jr. Press and a bunch of dies for it. The neat thing is that all of the dies will interchange. Just more stuff to dust as I use a full size Lyman Turret Press for reloading. Will dig around and see what else I have. For sure I have one or two Lyman No. 55 Powder Measures somewhere.......
 

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Du o measureI agree..one of the best measures ever made but with one fatal flaw...The tapered end of the reservoir. Ihave a couple one has been retrofitted with metal based reservoir by an expert machinist. Got it in aabox of reloading items auction for 10 dollars...didn't have the pistol powder part of the darn thing...but found one at a gun show in a dealers junk box for a buck. Ohaus made some great stuff. I like their brand scales too. esp their triple beam balance scales
 
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Skeet 028 said:
Ohaus made some great stuff. I like their brand scales too. esp their triple beam balance scales
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This is and isn't an Ohaus. It was made by Ohaus for RCBS and is a Model 304. On the side of the box is a price tag from Edelmans for $174.99. I bought it off the local gun shop for $20.00. Have several other beam scales, but do not use them. I have an RCBS Chargemaster 1500 for when I need a scale.
 

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I didn't know about the Dramworx reservoirs. Pretty darned expensive. Is it held in place with the screws like the original?? The pistol powder part is screw adjustable and lockable with an allen wrench...don't remember how many grains it goes to. I was lucky to find the darn thing. I have one of the 304 RCBS scales.. Works well. Have a 314 and a 311 Cent o Gram too. Have a RCBS chargemaster and don't really like it much. Seldom gets used.
 
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I was really glad when someone started offering a glass replacement for my DUO-Measure reservoir. Can't remember the company name, but got one that is pretty TALL. Wish he offered a Short one too, but glad to have measure back in service. Anyone suggest something for outlet spout replacement?
 
drayks said:
I was really glad when someone started offering a glass replacement for my DUO-Measure reservoir. Can't remember the company name, but got one that is pretty TALL. Wish he offered a Short one too, but glad to have measure back in service. Anyone suggest something for outlet spout replacement?
Click to expand...

I've made 3 of these and they work well. The glass reservoirs are made by Dramworx.
Ohaus powder measure rebuild | Gunboards Forums
 
I am still using my “old” stuff. Most from the 70’s. Some newer tools that will be old someday.
Taken care of well built reloading equipment will last a lifetime.
 
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